Lots of news has popped up this week, so let's take a quick look.
First, Chrysler has announced their plans for a full line of electric vehicles -- both plug in hybrids and full-on EVs. Christine and Scott Gable, our Guides to Alternative Fuels and Hybrids, have the full story here.
Second, Audi announced that the next-generation S4 -- the hot-rod version of the A4 -- will have a six-cylinder turbocharged engine in place of the current car's V8. Details in Audi: What's new for 2009.
Third, a reader named Carol posted a comment requesting more information about the difference between disc brakes and drum brakes. You got it, Carol: Disc brakes vs. drum brakes.
And lastly... I've had to update my bio. Barkley, my dog and couch-potato companion, passed away a few weeks ago; I didn't mention it because a) it was not car-related and b) I couldn't write about it without crying. She was 14 years old, which is a pretty good run for a Boxer. Last week, I got a new office mate: Bayla, also a Boxer, though not so much of a couch potato. And she came with a co-worker, a Chilean Rosehair tarantula that I've named Fifi. I'm training Fifi to be our staff photographer, so if you see more low-angle shot in future articles, you'll know why. -- Aaron Gold
Photo © Aaron Gold
P.S. If you haven't read the comments on the ESC blog entry... you should. An interesting debate is developing.
I was recently directed to your blog as a source to help guide my own writing and I am enjoying what I read so far…
I am very sorry to hear about your dog. I own 2 dachshunds and they mean quite a lot to me… (I took them for a spin in the Touareg 2 V10 TDI yesterday actually).
Congrats on the new pup and I only hope the pain of the loss gets better for you each day.
I did find one thing missing from your drum vs disc brake comparison. Drums allow for more braking area in a smaller space. Lots of big trucks (aka semi’s and haulers) still use drums because discs can’t provide enough braking force. Think of how big the wheels on a corvette have to be to house big disc brakes and imagine what a semi with discs would have to look like!